New Preparation Technology of Copper Matrix Composites Reinforced by Short Carbon Fibers

A new method of direct electrodeposition on copperized short carbon fibers (CFs) was developed and copper matrix composites were prepared by cold press and sintering.The microstructure and properties of the Cu-coated short CFs and composites were studied.The electrodeposits had a loose porous structure formed by the aggregated short CFs,the coatings were uniform and controllable.In the Cu/short CFs composites,short CFs distributed homogeneously and the interfaces between short CFs and copper were well-bonded.With the increase of short CFs contents,the flexure strength and hardness of the composites increased,however,the electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity decreased.The process of repress and resintering can improve the strength of composites obviously.When process parameters of electrodeposition were 3.0 A/dm2 and 60 min,the composite with a 17.9% volume fraction of CFs exhibited optimum combination properties,i.e.,the flexure strength was 282.1 MPa,hardness 96.5 HV,electrical conductivity 24.5 m/(Ωmm2),thermal conductivity 193.2 W/(mK).After the process of repress and resintering the flexure strength and hardness were improved to 327.6 MPa and 119 HV,respectively.